Monty the Manatee; a book encouraging children to be kind

£5,121

333

I'd like to introduce you to Monty the Manatee - he's a big creature with an even bigger heart. It's his first day at Sea School today and he's really nervous.

Front cover design

After waving goodbye to Mummy Manatee at the sea school gates he paddles into the classroom and desperately tries to make friends with the other creatures.

“My name’s Monty, would you please play with me?
“It’s my very first day at this school in the sea.”

But the other sea creatures think he's a bit slow and strange....so they're mean to him and call him names!

“Who wants to be mates with a manatee?
The ugliest creatures in the sea!
They’re slow and clumsy most of the time,
There’s NO WAY you can be a friend of mine!!”

Monty comes up with a plan when a dangerous predator invades their classroom, but surely he isn't brave or clever enough to save them all....or is he?

Monty the Manatee is a rhyming picture book for children aged approximately between 2 and 7 years old.

It is a heart-warming story about the importance of being kind, with a strong anti-bullying message, and encourages children to think about what it feels like to be picked on and called names. As a child, I was verbally bullied for a short time myself, so I know first-hand what it’s like to be picked on and called names. . I think it’s so important that children are taught to be kind and to think about the consequences of their actions.

“Please think about the hurt you might cause,
“When you tell someone they can’t play anymore."

I'm hoping that this is the first book in my Sea School Stories range, which will focus on different characters and will carry different messages to encourage emotional intelligence amongst children.

Having worked as both a journalist and more recently a teaching assistant, I have used my experiences to write this story which I think is fun and quirky but also teaches children a key life skill - the importance of being kind.

I've managed to find the perfect illustrator for my stories, Natalie Merheb, who has brought the Sea School characters to life with her magical work.

Being both a Mum and working in a primary school has highlighted to me the importance of not only teaching the traditional curriculum of Maths and English, but also to teach them qualities such as kindness, empathy, social skills, self-control, dealing with emotions and handling relationships with people. I'm hoping these books can help to do that.

My dream is to see my story printed as a book, being read to children both as a bedtime story and also in their classrooms at school, perhaps as part of a lesson for PSHE.

This is where you guys come in! This kickstarter campaign will allow me to produce and distribute a run of professional quality books. There will be special editions with rewards on offer which are unique to this campaign.

By supporting my campaign, you will also be helping to spread these important messages to help our children to become emotionally intelligent people who can flourish in our challenging world.

As a child, I was engrossed in fictional books and it encouraged me to believe in the magic of life - something which I still carry with me to this day. I aim to pass on some of this magic in my story books, and I truly believe that my Sea School Stories are full of potential. Who knows, maybe one day soon I'll be taking my Sea School stories to classrooms throughout the country! :)

I'm so excited at the thought of being able to create my very own book and I'd be incredibly happy if you could join me on this mission.

Thank you so much for your support,

Natalie x

Risks and challenges

Monty the Manatee is a project in progress. The story board plan has been created, but most of the illustrations have yet to be produced, before we enter the final production and print stage. This could take longer than anticipated, but I feel like I have set a realistic and achievable timescale, which will be motivated by your support and backing.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £8 or more
About $10

Hard copy of Monty the Manatee book

Receive a copy of one of the first Monty the Manatee books ever printed. The book is 32 pages full colour, with beautiful illustrations on each page by the talented illustrator, Natalie Merheb. You will also receive a digital download of the book in PDF format.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £12 or more
About $16

Collector's Edition copy of the book.

Receive a signed copy of one of the first Monty the Manatee books ever printed. The book is 32 pages full colour, with beautiful illustrations on each page by the talented illustrator, Natalie Merheb. You will also receive a digital download of the book in PDF format. The book will be signed on the inside cover by the author.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £100 or more
About $130

Author visit and reading (Midlands only)

The author will come to your child's school, home or nursery and do a reading plus a talk about the importance of being kind and the art of writing rhyming stories. The session can be for the whole school / class to enjoy, or a special reading for one or two children. You will also receive a signed hard copy of the book and a digital PDF version.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £175 or more
About $228

Author visit plus 10 signed books

The author will come to your child's school, home or nursery and do a reading plus a talk about the importance of being kind and the art of writing rhyming stories. The session can be for the whole school / class to enjoy, or a special reading for one or two children. You will also receive 10 signed hard copies of the book for your pupils to enjoy in school. Also includes a free digital PDF version of the story, (Midlands, UK, area only)